I guess I am just looking to vent. No silly pictures. No jokes. I am in a very serious mood.

Most of my family lives in New York City and New Jersey. My younger brother works at the Empire State Building on the 52nd floor, with a grand view of lower Manhattan and the Twin Towers. He's okay. They immediately evacuated the building and at some point he even donated blood. I haven't successfully reached him by his cellular phone but my Dad spoke to him and he's okay.

My sister-in-law also works in midtown. By phone she told me of people at her work who were freaking out that they knew people that worked near the 100th floor of the Towers.

I was concerned either of them might have been traumatized by being so close to the horrific act of cowardice, but they seem okay.

Looks like the death toll will be in the 1000's, maybe in the 10's of thousands. Being a native New Jerseyan, I am a little scared to learn if I knew any of the people who died in the Towers. My hunch is I might.

I feel terrible that my parents, who live across the Hudson River in New Jersey, need to witness all this. Two years ago they flew from Newark to San Francisco for a vacation - the same route as one of the hijacked planes. (That's scares me!) Also, my Grandma Grace still lives in the Bronx, a residential borough of New York City. Why should she have to see all this in her city at her old age of 86?

I am also angry. The New York area is my home! Granted, most of you know how I proudly boast about life in Colorado, but I am a New Yorker at heart. For the first 23 years of my life, I have often excitedly taken out-of-town visitors throughout the touristy attractions of New York, including the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Yankee games and yes, the top of the Twin Towers.

No matter what, God is on the throne. He is the King of all Kings, and Lord of the Universe. I know God will bring justice. Let us seek him with all our minds and hearts as we ponder what is important - things of eternity.

Steve Garufi
Manitou Springs, CO